US Halts Financial Aid to Conclude Haiti Elections

FILE - Supporters of the PHTK political party hold signs during a demonstration to demand the organization of a postponed presidential runoff election in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, April 14, 2016.

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US Halts Financial Aid to Conclude Haiti Elections

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PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI —

The United States has decided to suspend financial assistance to Haiti's electoral officials as they redo a presidential vote marred by fraud.

U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby told reporters Thursday that the decision did not "signal a reduction of our support for the Haitian people.'' He said Washington simply did not plan on spending additional taxpayer money for two additional electoral rounds in Haiti.

The U.S. contributed $33 million for Haiti's electoral cycle that started last year. But earlier this year, electoral officials announced that a new presidential election would have to be held in October because fraud marred last year's voting.

Meanwhile, Haiti's fragmented Parliament is continuing to block a vote on the latest leadership disorder in the troubled country.